Government offers reimbursement for expenses

The Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations has announced the signing of a presidential decree aimed at improving labour migration processes and supporting individuals temporarily working abroad. The decree provides various services, including medical, social, legal, and consular assistance, to citizens engaged in temporary labour activities overseas.

The main objective of the decree is to enhance the management of labour migration processes, create favorable conditions for those seeking employment abroad, and facilitate the reintegration of individuals returning from labour migration. This includes ensuring their employment, enhancing their professional skills, and promoting entrepreneurial initiatives.

Effective from June, 2024, citizens registered in the electronic labour migration software package "Work Abroad" and participating in organized labour migration will be eligible for reimbursement for certain expenses.

Furthermore, by September, 2024, a 24-hour call centre will be established to assist citizens temporarily working abroad, with the calls being free of charge for subscribers located abroad. Efforts will be made to expand financial assistance programs for individuals facing challenging situations while working abroad.

In the coming years, representative offices of the Agency will be opened in London, Berlin, Istanbul, and Riyadh. Labour migration attachés will also be appointed in diplomatic and consular institutions in the United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Hungary, Germany, Latvia, Poland, and Japan. To support the activities of private employment agencies, starting from July , 2024, these agencies will be permitted to charge fees for providing overseas employment services. Funds paid by citizens seeking overseas employment will be held in a designated account at a commercial bank and transferred to the agency upon the completion of contractual obligations.Enterprises that hire returnees from labour migration will receive a monthly subsidy of 500 thousand soums per employee for one year. Additionally, a mobile application will be developed for citizens temporarily working abroad, enabling them to share information about their country of residence, access job vacancies, communicate with fellow compatriots, make money transfers, and connect with organizations providing assistance in challenging situations.

By July 1, 2025, an electronic database will be established to maintain accurate records of individuals entering and leaving Uzbekistan, ensuring improved monitoring and management of the country's migration processes.